Your responsibilities as a tribunal representative are outlined in our practice note representation before mental health tribunals, which provides best practice and guidelines, including the duty of confidentiality and what constitutes the best interests of the client.

Who is membership for?

Only members of the Mental Health Scheme are authorised to represent clients under a legal aid contract who are detained under the Mental Health Act before the relevant tribunal in England or Wales. Changes to legal aid contracts in August 2014 mean that all mental health representatives require the accreditation.

Why apply for mental health accreditation?

Ensure that clients and their representatives are easily able to identify you as a legal practitioner with proven competency in mental health law.

Show that you maintain relevant standards of competency and expertise in the field through re-accreditation.

Demonstrate your conformity to a best-practice quality mark that prospective clients can trust.

From August 2014, you will only be able to obtain mental health legal aid contracts to appear before the tribunal if you are accredited with the Mental Health Accreditation Scheme.

Lexcel accreditation

It is also a tender requirement that you have Lexcel accreditation or membership of another quality assurance scheme in place by 1 August 2014. If you make the Lexcel office aware that you are applying for the purposes of a Legal Aid Agency contract you will have your application processed as soon as possible, but it is important to bear in mind that following an assessment you may be required to take further action to comply with the standard.

How do I apply for accreditation?

See the application page for full details on how to apply. Solicitors, legal executives, trainee solicitors and other case workers can all apply, but non-solicitor applicants must be employed by a practice regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Further help or support

If you need any further guidance or support, please contact the Accreditation Unit on: